National Geographic Endeavour II is a purpose-built expedition ship that first sailed in 2005. After undergoing extensive renovation in 2016, she will sail Galapagos. She is exceptionally nimble and maneuverable, with great viewing from all public spaces, large windows in cabins and suites, state-of-the-art tools for exploration, and a fast, seamless twin Zodiac loading platform.
Endeavour II accommodates 96 guests in 42 double cabins and 11 solo cabins. With an open, covered top deck and large windows in the lounge, you'll discover plenty of viewing spaces for observing the incredible wildlife and landscapes of Galapagos.
Her dining room easily accommodates your entire expedition community for a single seating, and unassigned table settings make for a gregarious experience for solo travelers and groups. The spacious lounge features a redesigned presentation space that offers all aboard chance to participate in evening Recaps or special guest events. Life aboard is casual in every respect. There is no need for formal clothing, although you are welcome to bring casually festive attire for the fun of it. And you'll find shipboard services like laundry make packing and traveling more convenient.
Endeavour II is equipped with cool tools for exploration that help you experience the full range of wildness in Galapagos.
National Geographic Endeavour II Staterooms
National Geographic Endeavour II accommodates 96 guests in 53 cabins: 42 double cabins and 11 solo cabins. As the primary focus in exploring Galapagos is on the world outside, all cabins offer large windows for catching glimpses of the isles you'll sail past. All double-occupancy cabins and suites feature two single beds that can be converted into a queen bed.
Your room will be a more than comfortable place to end your active day, with luxurious organic cotton duvets and crisp, cotton sheeting. Attentive hotel staff will transform your room while you're out hiking or exploring, so you can return to a cool, welcoming space.
Endeavour II's three suites also include either floor-to-ceiling or large windows, an armchair or sofa, and suite-sized bathrooms.
Every cabin has Wi-Fi access, temperature controls, a chair, and writing desk. Beneath every bed is space to store luggage, and a closet. Botanically inspired hair products and shower gel are stocked in every shower, and a hairdryer and robes are supplied in each cabin.
Life Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II
You'll find National Geographic Endeavour II ideally sized for your days exploring Galapagos. She is expansive enough to offer private spaces to gather with new friends. And her shared public areas like the lounge are intimate enough to foster a convivial expedition community.
Dining: The dining room accommodates the entire expedition community in a single seating, and many tables accommodate an odd number of people to encourage easy mingling. Independent travelers will find a welcome everywhere. Dress is always casual and the general ambience is relaxed and informal.
Every meal is a delight and often a discovery - a window, so to speak, on the region you're exploring. All food served aboard is fresh, local and delicious; sourced from suppliers that share our values of sustainability whenever possible, and often inflected with regional flavors.
Breakfast is served buffet-style, with eggs and other dishes made to order. Enjoy freshly-baked pastries, and a bounty of fresh, tropical fruits and fresh-squeezed fruit juices. Lunch is most often buffet, though occasionally served family style. Dinners are plated and served in the dining room, except for the evening when an extravagant barbecue is held on Endeavour II's open deck. Whether a meal is buffet-style or served, gracious waitstaff is ever-present to attend to your every need.
During lunch and dinner your expedition leader, naturalists, and any guest speakers will join you for meals, and during breakfast they often sit together to plan the logistics of the exciting day ahead.
Public Areas: You'll find abundant comfortable spaces to take in the scenery and relax after an active, but exhilarating, day ashore. You'll quickly know your way around, with the ship feeling like a friendly boutique hotel. With ample deck space and public rooms, however, you can choose to withdraw to a cozy corner by yourself or join others for an engaging conversation and refreshing drink.
- Bridge: You may come to consider the bridge another public room, as guests are encouraged to visit officers whenever safe navigation permits. Learn about navigation, and share the officers' enthusiasm for the extraordinary wildlife of Galapagos.
- Lounge: The lounge and bar are the main social hub of the ship, and where all the briefings, photography talks, and guest speaker presentations take place. With sweeping windows over the bow and large windows on three sides, the room offers ample natural light and dramatic views.
- Library: Visit the ship's cozy library where a dramatic wall of windows overlooks the sea. A limited collection of books includes fiction, regional guides, and reference books on Galapagos wildlife. 24-hour beverage service, including coffee, espresso, a variety of teas, sodas, water, ice, and cookies are also available in the library.
- Gym: If you're looking for some additional activity beyond hiking the islands and snorkeling the undersea, there's a well-equipped gym aboard. Take advantage of treadmills, exercise bikes, an elliptical machine, and free weights. Large windows in the gym ensure you don't miss any opportunities to spot wildlife.
Exploration Activities on National Geographic Endeavour II
National Geographic Endeavour II is outfitted to connect you with the wildest places in Galapagos.
- Snorkeling gear & wetsuits: On the first day of your expedition you'll be fitted with a mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, and, if you choose, a snorkel buoyancy vest. These are yours to use for the duration of the expedition - so there's no need to pack and tote your own gear. The 3mm shorty wetsuits allow you to stay in the cool water of Galapagos longer, and protect your skin from the equatorial sun. Guests who own masks with prescription lenses, or prefer to use thicker, full-length wetsuits are welcome to bring their own gear.
- Zodiacs: Zodiacs are used to land on remote islands that would otherwise be inaccessible. With eight of these boats used every time you disembark, everyone is transferred off the ship quickly, so you can be out on adventures, not idly waiting. These sturdy inflatable craft are the same time-tested brand Jacques Cousteau used in his expeditions for over 30 years. They are widely recognized as the safest and most versatile small boats afloat. The Zodiacs are 19 feet long, powered by four-stroke outboard engines, and are capable of carrying 12 to 14 people with ease.
- Kayaks: A fleet of eight two-person kayaks allow you to paddle along scenic shorelines and explore water-level caves where Galapagos fur seals rest. Naturalists will help novices with technique, while experts have the opportunity to explore further afield.
- Glass-bottom zodiac: Explore the undersea while staying dry aboard a glass-bottom Zodiac. A naturalist is always aboard to identify reef fish and other wildlife.
- Underwater camera: Your undersea specialist will dive at snorkeling sites, shooting video to share during Recap in Endeavour II's lounge - it's when you find out more about the vibrant undersea you're exploring.
- Video microscope: See the tiny flora and fauna that lives in the rich waters surrounding Galapagos. Your naturalist will collect plankton using a special net, and then you'll be able to view this fascinating microscopic life on the high-definition screens in the lounge as your naturalist explains it.
- Walking sticks: A variety of trusty walking sticks are available aboard, conveniently located at the Zodiac boarding area. Simply choose your favorite one as your board your Zodiac to head to the islands for a hike, and then drop it off when you return. No need to pack and carry your own.
Services Onboard National Geographic Endeavour II
An attentive, expert hotel staff and well-thought-out amenities ensure a comfortable shipboard life.
- Staying connected: Each cabin has Wi-Fi access as do all the ships public spaces. Connecting to the satellite Internet comes at an additional cost, and due to the remote nature of exploring the Galapagos, bandwidth restrictions make uploading high-resolution photos or videos impossible. The satellite phone is available for phone calls for an additional charge. Keep informed with the daily news back home with a condensed version of The New York Times printed aboard each day. Copies are available in the lounge.
- Photo kiosks for photographers: Two iMac stations are available, in the ship's lounge and library, for sorting and transferring your photos. They're equipped with a digital media reader and USB outlets. Bring along an external hard drive or USB drive (or several) to store and back up your photos. Use of the photo kiosks is complimentary, on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Laundry: At an additional charge, the ship's staff will handle personal laundry and pressing. There are no facilities for dry cleaning on board.
- Beverage Station: Reusable bottles and a pitcher of filtered water are placed in your cabin each day. The library offers hot coffee, tea, espresso, and soda 24 hours a day. Whether or not the bar is open, a self-service refrigerator is always stocked with Ecuadorian beer.
- Doctor: A doctor is aboard Endeavour II and available 24 hours a day free of charge.
